Australian swim coach

Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey has faced backlash after publicly expressing his support for South Korean swimmer Kim Woo-min to win gold in the men's 400-meter freestyle, an event featuring Australian competitors Sam Short and Elijah Winnington. Palfrey's comments, which included a cheer of 'Go Korea,' have been labeled 'un-Australian' by head coach Rohan Taylor, who expressed disappointment and stated that such support for a rival athlete is unacceptable. Although Palfrey has apologized for his remarks and will not be sent home during the Olympics, Taylor confirmed that there will be consequences once the competition concludes. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny and discussions within the Australian swimming community regarding loyalty and professionalism. Palfrey's history of coaching South Korean swimmers complicates the situation, as he acknowledges the competitive atmosphere within the event. As the opening day of swimming approaches, the focus remains on the performance of the athletes involved.